Fri, 06/25/2021
The California Supreme Court dismissed the City of South Pasadena’s request for discretionary review in a case in which the California Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) determined that the City dismissed fire fighter Cliff Snider in retaliation for his union activities as president of the South Pasadena Fire Fighters’ Association, International Association of Fire Fighters, Local 3657. President Snider is represented by MSE Partner Diana Nobile.
The City of South Pasadena terminated President Snider’s employment in December 2016 after he demanded to bargain over the City’s imposition of a light duty policy never before applied to the Fire Department. The City opened an investigation into Snider days after the demand to bargain, claiming the investigation was into conduct known to the Department for months before Snider’s protected union conduct. PERB determined these actions amounted to unlawful retaliation, and a California appellate Court agreed. The City sought further review from the California Supreme Court, which denied the City’s request on June 17, 2021.
As President Snider told the South Pasadenan: “It has been an honor to serve the citizens of South Pasadena as a Fire Engineer, and to serve as an advocate for my colleagues in the Department as union leader,” he added. “I am ready and eager to get back to both roles as soon as possible.”
Snider worked for the Department for 12 years and the city “constantly rated his performance as excellent and highly professional,” said attorney Diana Nobile. “The city will be lucky to have him back on the job.”
As a remedy, President Snider will be returned to work as a Fire Engineer with full backpay owed as a result of the City’s unlawful action.
The South Pasadenan news article can be found here.
